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The word Al-Hawaari (disciple) means a helper or supporter of the prophets, or an intimate friend.
Al-Raaghib Al-Asfhaani 
said that the disciples were the supporters of 'Eesa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), may Allah exalt his mention, and it is said that they worked in the bleaching trade or as hunters.
said that the disciples were the supporters of 'Eesa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), may Allah exalt his mention, and it is said that they worked in the bleaching trade or as hunters. Some other scholars said that they were named "disciples" because they were engaged in purifying the souls of the people through teaching them religion and divine laws. This is what Allah The Almighty refers to when He Says (what means): {Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.}[Quran 33:33}. Thus, they were regarded as working in the bleaching trade figuratively, because most of them did not actually practice this handicraft as a profession. They were also considered hunters, because of the fact that they were hunting souls from the darkness of delusion and leading them to the light.
The Prophet, 
, said: "Az-Zubayr is my cousin and he is my disciple". He, , also said: "Every prophet has a disciple, and my disciple is Az-Zubayr." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
, said: "Az-Zubayr is my cousin and he is my disciple". He, , also said: "Every prophet has a disciple, and my disciple is Az-Zubayr." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] This is because he, may Allah be pleased with him, was similar to them in their support for their prophets. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, "Who are my supporters for Allah?" The disciples said, "We are supporters of Allah.}(Quran 61:14).
Az-Zajjaaj saw that the disciples are the best and the choicest companions for every prophet, and he considered the proof of that is the Hadeeth (narration) of the Prophet, : "Az-Zubayr is my cousin and my disciple from my nation". [Al-Albaani:Saheeh].
saw that the disciples are the best and the choicest companions for every prophet, and he considered the proof of that is the Hadeeth (narration) of the Prophet, : "Az-Zubayr is my cousin and my disciple from my nation". [Al-Albaani:Saheeh]. In fact, all the Companions of the Prophet, are disciples.
are disciples.According to some linguists, the word disciple in Arabic denotes those who are refined and cleared from any vice or shortcoming. They are those who are found pure from the defects when they are tested or examined from time to time. Hence, the disciples of the Prophet, , i.e., his supporters who were renowned with the aforementioned description are:
, i.e., his supporters who were renowned with the aforementioned description are:· The four rightly-guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, 'Uthmaan ibn 'Affaan, and 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them.
· Hamzah ibn 'Abdil-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him.
· Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him.
· Abu 'Ubaydah ibn Al-Jarraah, may Allah be pleased with him.
· 'Uthmaan ibn Math'oon ibn Habeeb Al-Jumahi, may Allah be pleased with him. He is nicknamed Abu As-Saa'iq, and he embraced Islam after thirteen men. He emigrated the two Hijrahs (migrations) to Al-Habashah (Ethiopia) and Madeenah. He prevented himself from drinking wine before it was prohibited by Allah The Almighty. He was also the first Muhaajir (migrant from Makkah to Madeenah) to die in Madeenah after he returned from the Battle of Badr, exactly in the second year after the Hijrah. The Prophet, , kissed him while he was dead, and he, , visited his grave and buried his son Ibraaheem beside him.
, kissed him while he was dead, and he, , visited his grave and buried his son Ibraaheem beside him. · 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf, may Allah be pleased with him.
· Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allah be pleased with him.
· Talhah ibn 'Ubaydullaah, may Allah be pleased with him.
· Az-Zubayr ibn Al-'Awwaam, may Allah be pleased with him, and he is the most famous Companion who is known by the title of the disciple, and he is the one who is meant when we say 'the disciple of the Prophet', in general.
in general.
